Prophecies are rarely fulfilled, although this does not deter the prophets and their followers.
Throughout history, many cults have told us that the end of the world is nigh, and they look forward
to the ensuing ‘ecstasy’. In their view, the world is a bad place and must be put out of its misery. They believe that they will be spared, and in preparation they live their earthly lives in accordance with their particular interpretation of the Kingdom of God. Even when their latest prediction of the end
of the world fails to materialize, they continue to insist that they are right and that they are indeed
‘the chosen ones'. Prophets who unconditionally predict the end of the world are false prophets. A
theologian might tell us that a true prophet is someone who tries to awaken mankind, to alert us to
certain risks. A true prophecy is thus not the same as a prediction.
